Prince Harry's Helicopter Training Brings Him to U.S.

Fresh off a dance party vacation on an island in Croatia, Prince Harry is getting back to work and will soon head to the States for helicopter training.

The Prince will arrive in El Centro, Calif., during the first week of October to take part in Exercise Crimson Eagle, which is the culmination of his "Conversion to Role" course that he has started in Wattisham, Suffolk. Known as Captain Wales in the Army Air Corps, Harry, 26, will also spend some time at Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field in Arizona during his two-month visit.

The training – part of an Apache attack helicopter course conducted by his country's Defense Ministry – is said to consist of environmental training, live firing and tactical exercises. He will then be set to join one of the Apache squadrons, taking part in exercises in the U.K., before any possible deployment.

And what visit to the West is complete without a stop in Vegas? According to a military source, it's tradition for the helicopter pilots to take a break in Sin City at the halfway point of their 12-week training.

"The course doesn't have much downtime – it's pretty ­intense. This is a chance for pilots to let their hair down, kick back and enjoy ­themselves," the source tells the U.K.'s Sunday Mirror.